Initially known as the Latin Section at the time the University of Cape Coast was established in 1962, the Department of Classics and Philosophy was founded in 1963 as part of the School of Languages and Literature which later became the Faculty of Arts. In 1999, a four year degree programme in Philosophy was added to the existing programme in Classics. The department then assumed its current designation as the department of Classics and Philosophy. The department continues to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Classics and Philosophy leading to the offer of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) degrees respectively. The academic staff of the department vigorously pursue their teaching and research activities.

Welcome to the Department of Classics and Philosophy, University of Cape Coast. The Classics and Philosophy Department is a composite department that runs varieties of courses in Classics and Philosophy. We study the culture and civilization of ancient Greek and Roman worlds, and teach and research in pre-Socratic, Platonic, analytic, continental and African philosophy. We offer our students with advanced learning and research opportunities in Classics and Philosophy and other subjects. Kindly browse through our webpage for details about our programmes, courses and the research interests of our forever strong and energetic academic staff.

Vision

To have a Department that is strongly positioned in the teaching of and research in Classics and Philosophy in Ghana and West Africa.

Mission

Training and equipping students and educators to become steeped in the Liberal Arts education and humanistic tradition through the twin vehicles of Classics and Philosophy.

2.5.2 Department of Classics and Philosophy

Originally known as the Latin Section of the Department of English, when the University was established in 1962, the Department of Classics assumed an autonomous status in 1963. In 1999 the four-year degree programme in Philosophy was added to its existing programme in Classics. The Department then assumed its current designation as the Department of Classics and Philosophy. The Department continues to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Classical Civilization and Philosophy leading to the offer of B.A and MA/M.Phil degrees respectively. The Department has an internationally recognized Journal in Journal of Philosophy and Culture, which is hosted by AJOL. It is the vision of the Department to establish PhD programmes in Classics and Philosophy in the next three years. The academic staff of the Department vigorously pursue their teaching and research activities.

Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Strengths

Dedicated and youthful staff strength

Strong and vibrant international linkages

Good interpersonal relationship among staff

Good track record of supervision and completion rate of graduate students

Reasonable quantity of teaching and learning equipment

Good and proactive research capabilities and skills

Required Strengths

Adequate infrastructure

Adequate staff development programmes

Strong internet connectivity

Availability of ICT -based teaching resources

Skills in ICT teaching resource

Gender balanced Faculty

Key Opportunities

1.Emerging linkages with industry and alumni

2.Increasing national and global interest in African Philosophy

3.Increasing demand for Logic and Critical Thinking and Ethics based courses

4.Developing oil and gas industry

5.Establishment of Law Faculty at UCC

6.Extensive availability of international collaborators

Threats

1.Virtual anonymity of Department’s existence at pre-tertiary levels

2. Low intake of students into the Arts

3.Unreliable power supply

4.Dwindling budget for tertiary institutions

5.Scarcity of PhD opportunities and sponsorship for staff

6.Weak conflict management outlets in the University

Key Strategies

Key Thrust 1: Create an Environment that Seeks to Improve Student Life, Foster Focused Learning and Graduate Students with Strong Ethics and Commitment to Society

No.

Key Action

Primary

Responsibility

Secondary

Implementers

Indicators

Target/Time Frame

Establish a rapid response system to address student grievances

HOD

Academic Advisors and student leadership

1.Form consultative committee and organise consultative meeting at least once a semester

2.Sensitise students on the effective use of academic counselling system

1.Consultative committee formed by the end of 2012/2013 academic year

2.Organise a sensitisation forum for students once a semester

Support the Centre for International Education (CIE) to attract foreign students and expand exchange programmes and activities

HOD

CIE

1.Develop a brochure of programmes

2.Negotiate with the University/ICT to get a personnel responsible for ICT-related issues

3.Update of departmental information on the University website

1.Developed a brochure by the end of 2013/2014 academic year

2.ICT personnel appointed by December 2014

3.Develop a weekly template for updating departmental information on University website

Strengthen Students Fieldwork and Educational trips

HOD

Fieldwork and Educational trips co-ordinator

1. Appoint a fieldwork co-ordinator

2.Develop a fieldwork schedule

3. Integrate field work and educational trips attendance into assessment

1.Field work co-ordinator appointed by the end of September, 2013

2.Organise periodic meetings for students and lecturers

3.Attendance and participation during fieldwork will contribute towards overall assessment

Establish student association to enhance student welfare matters

HOD

Academic advisers,

Course representatives

Formation of Classics and Philosophy Students Association

Appointment of Patron for student association

Departmental students association formed by end of 2013-2014 Academic year

Patron appointed by end of 2013-2014 Academic year

Key Thrust 2: Create a Conducive Working Environment which recognises Equal Opportunities for Faculties, Staff and Students

No.

Key Action

Primary

Responsibility

Secondary

Implementers

Indicators

Target/Time Frame

Establish a rapid response system to address staff grievances

HOD

Committee for staff welfare issues

1.Formation of committee for staff welfare issues

2. Organise regular meetings between teaching and non-teaching staff.

1.Staff welfare committee formed by end of December 2013

2.Organise at least one meeting every semester between teaching and non-teaching staff

Promote the image of the University as an equal opportunity institution

HOD

Departmental consultative committee

1.Increase the employment ratio of female faculty

2.Hold discussions with VC on the process of employing female faculty, acceleration of PhD for female students and funding of female PhD student

1. Employ female lecturer(s) by the end of 2014/2015 academic year.

2.Hold discussions with the VC on the process of employing female faculty, acceleration of PhD for female student and funding of female PhD students by September, 2013

• Developing in the students an appreciation of impact of classical civilizations on the contemporary world and how we can adopt and adapt and create for ourselves. • Inculcating in students the tenets of analytical Philosophy and its application in African Philosophy and political systems. • Promoting in our learners the habit of critical and reflective thinking and the practical application of concepts and theories. • Equipping the student with the scientific method applied in the successful production of long essay, dissertations and theses.